The Crisis of the Inmate and the Institution of Occultation in Twelver Shi'ism: A Sociohistorical Perspective

• Published in: International journal of Middle East studies Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 491 - 515
• Main Author: Arjomand, Said Amir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-11-1996
• Subjects: Clergy; Iran; Islam; Legitimacy; Middle Ages; Religious Movements; Social Change
• ISSN: 0020-7438

The nature of the Imamate, succession to that office, & the crisis of the Imamate in Twelver Shi'ism, mid-8th-mid-10th century, are examined from a sociohistorical perspective. The crisis developed when successors to the imam were so young that they could not possibly act as the authoritative teachers of scripture & law that imams were expected to be. The attempt to create successive stability in this authoritative office is considered in the context of relations in the 'Alid-'Abbasid revolutionary coalition, the massive conversion of Iranians to Islam, & the dialogue of Shi'ism & competing movements & trends. The notion of occultation of imams, which arose in the 6th century, evolved to a belief in the return from occultation of members of the Persian royal house by the 10th century. Once the idea was detached from its chiliastic context, Imami scholars could integrate it into their rational theology in connection with the last imam & solve the succession problem. Adapted from the source document.